Show window



H. M. SCHWARTZ 1,943,629

SHOW WINDOW Jan. 16, 1934.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1933 NQ W Jan. 16, 1934. H SCHWARTZ 1,943,629

SHOW WI NDOW Filed March 27, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES 5 Claims.

This invention relates generally to show windows and more particularly to removable and replaceable backgrounds adapted for use in show windows in displaying various types of merchandise.

It is now customary in dressing a window, if it is desired to have a different background from that formed by the window as. constructed, to use screens or to build partitions. The screens or partitions are not adapted for generalutility in forming different backgrounds, but are generally designed and constructed to form a particular background which is not used again.

In accordance with the present invention, the background for the show window is constructed of a plurality of panels which preferably are supported from tracks supported by the ceiling and floor. The panels are individually movable relative to each other so that they can be used to form any shaped background of which the shape of the tracks will permit. The panels may be used over again either in the same window or in a different window to form a different back ground by supporting them from tracks having a different configuration.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a show window;

Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line IIIIII of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section corresponding to Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section similar to Figure 4, but showing a modified form of track for supporting the panels. In Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, parts have been broken away to conserve space.

Figures 6, '7 and 8 are horizontal sections showing different arrangements of the panels used in forming the window background, and

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of panel.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the window comprises the usual glass front 2, sides 3 and 4, and back 5. The ceiling 6 is provided with a false ceiling '7 and the floor 8 is similarly provided with a false floor 9. Tracks 10 are formed in the false ceiling and false floor, which tracks support panels 11. These panels, when assembled, form the background of the window. As shown in Figure 4, pins 12 are secured to the tops and bottoms of the panels and rollers 13 are rotatably mounted on the pins. The rollers fit into the tracks 10 formed in the false floor and ceiling, the shanks 14 of the rollers extending through slots 15. In this embodiment, the tracks are formed by simply making grooves in the false floor and ceiling, the grooves having slots through which the shanks of the rollers extend.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, metal tracks 16 are secured to the floor 8 and ceiling 6 by screws 17. The construction is otherwise the same as shown in Figure 4. In either embodiment, false floors and ceilings may or may not be used and the tracks may either be formed simply by grooves or by the use of metal tracks. Furthermore the top and bottom tracks may be below the ceiling and above the floor, respectively, although it-is preferred to employ tracks which are concealed within the floor and ceiling as this makes a better appearance.

In Figure 1, there are illustrated several different forms of tracks, each adapted to form a different typeof background. A track 13 extends along the sides and back of the window substantially parallel to the side walls 3 and 4 and the back wall 5, but spaced slightly therefrom. If the panels are assembled along this track, they will form a background having the general shape of the original window. The original Window background, however, may not be adapted to display the particular merchandise to the best advantage, whereas the panels may be colored as desired. There is also a semi-circular track 19, a straight track 20 which extends across the window at a point about midway between the front and back of the window, and two segmental tracks 21 at the back corners of the window. These forms of tracks are given merely as illustrations of various types of backgrounds which can be formed. Other backgrounds can be formed by providing different shaped tracks.

If it is desired to form a semi-circular background such as may be provided by supporting the panels from the tracks 19, a panel is first placed in an opening 22 formed in one of the side walls 4. The panel is shown in this posiall of the tracks in the floor communicate with each other so that the panels can be admitted through the opening 22 and moved to the desired position on any of the tracks. With this construction, the shape of the background depends only upon the configuration of the tracks.

One of the side edges of the panels 11 is preferably rounded, as indicated by the reference numeral 25, and the other edge is correspondingly grooved, as indicated by the reference numeral 26, so that the panels can be fitted close 1y together even if the background is curved. The panels may, however, have fiat side edges 27, as indicated in Figures 7 and 8, and may be arranged in overlapping relation, as shown in Figure 7, in staggered relation, as shown in Figure 8, or in any other desired relation. The as sembly shown in Figure 7 is useful where it is desired to throw a light from in back of the panels through the opening between the panels onto merchandise displayed in front of the background.

In Figure 9 there is shown'amodified type of panel which is curved instead of being fiat.

It is preferred to support the panels both from the top and bottom as described by employing tracks on the floor and ceiling and providing trolleys at both the top and bottom of the panels. The bottom tracks and trolleys may be dispensed with in some cases, using only the top tracks, but this is not as desirable as it may result in some swaying of the panels.

7 The front and back of the individual panels may be colored differently so that by reversing the panels a different colored background is provided. Instead of assembling'thepanel'sin abutting or overlapping relationship, they may be spaced some distance apart so as to act as supports for fabric forming the background.

Although the invention has been described as applied to the formation ofja background for a show window, it is not limited to this use, but may be employed in forming a background for a theatre stage or in other places.

I have illustrated several embodiments of my invention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A show window comprising a ceiling having a plurality of communicating tracks supported thereby, and a plurality of panels supported from at least one of the tracks and movable relative to each other along the tracks to form a window background.

I 2 A show window comprising a ceiling, a floor, tracks supported by the ceiling and floor in alinement with each other, a plurality of panels movable along the tracks to form a window background, anopening in the window for the insertion of panels, and communicating tracks leading from the opening to said first mentioned tracks.

3. A show window comprising a ceiling, a floor, a plurality 'of communicating tracks supported by the ceiling, a plurality 'of communicating tracks supported by the floor, the tracks in the ceiling and floor being in verticalalinement with each other, and a plurality of panels supported from at least one of the tracks on the ceiling and floor and movable relative to 'eachother along the tracks to form a window background.

i. A show window comprising a ceiling having a plurality of tracks supported thereby, and a plurality of panels supported from at least one of the tracks and movable relative to each other along the tracks to form a window background having substantially the configuration of the tracks from which they are supported.

'5. A show window comprising a cei1ing,"a plurality of tracks of different'configuration supported thereby, and a plurality of panels supported from at least one of the tracksand movable relative to each other along the tracks to form a window background havingsub'stantiall'y the configuration'of thetracks from which they are supported.

HAROLD M. SCHWARTZ.

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